Hopes high for bumper September as car sales slip

● Latest industry data shows 5.8% decline in August ● But some predict record September for registrations

New car sales fell by a “disappointing” 5.8 per cent last month – but industry leaders are banking on a September boost as the new 70 plate rolls out.

There were 87,226 new cars registered across the UK in August compared with 92,573 during t he same month i n 2019, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders ( SMMT).

Registrations during the first eight months of the year are down 39.7 per cent compared with the same period in 2019.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “The decline is disappointing, following some brief optimism in July. However, given August is typically one of the new car market’s quietest months, it’s important not to draw too many conclusions from these figures.

“With t he a l l - i mpor t a nt plate change month, September is likely to provide a better barometer. As the nation takes steps to return to normality, protecting consumer confidence will be critical to driving a recovery.”

The automotive industry has been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, with year- onyear registrations down 97.3 per cent in April, 89 per cent in May and 34.9 per cent in June.

July saw an 1 1 . 3 per cent increase, which was attributed to pent- up demand during lockdown and special offers.

Karen Hilton, chief commercial officer at Heycar, said: “August has always been a quieter month for new car sales as we lead up to the September plate change.

“T h e o u t l o o k , h o we ve r, r emains positive. Pent- up demand continues to power the recovery in the used car market and as in the housing market, consumer confidence is returning.

“There i s a n a pp e t i t e t o spend, especially among consumers who may have built up some savings during lockdown and look to make expensive purchases like a car.”

Alex Buttle, director of car s e l l i n g c o mpari s o n web - site Motor way. co. uk, said: “August is recognised as being a slow month, so we shouldn’t assume the market is going into reverse.

“And hop e f ul l y t he new 70 reg plate will boost sales throughout September at a time when the car industry is learning to adapt to a difficult post- lockdown environment.

“Many dealers we work with are seeing a major influx of buyers coming through the doors this week who are intent on purchasing, and some in t he i ndustr y are even pre - dicting that September could be the biggest new car sales month on record.”

Ja mes Fai r c l ough, c hi e f executive of AA Cars, said: “September’s figures will give a more complete picture of how the new car market performed in the third quarter of the year, and may provide an insight into what we can expect for the remainder of 2020 too.”